Following the main branch of Ceylon Hotel, its first franchise location also opened.
The second store wasn’t in a bustling area like Gangnam or Hongdae, but rather in downtown Paju.
I visited the store with CEO Im Soo-mi. Even though it was past lunchtime, the line was long. If you joined the queue now, wouldn’t it take three or four hours?
Perhaps they were all out on deliveries; the oven bikes and oven trucks that should have been in front of the store were nowhere to be seen.
Kim Jae-hak, walking around the store, looked brighter than ever. His leg, being slightly disabled, was no problem at all.
Only after quite some time did he spot me and greet me happily.
“Kang Jin-hoo! You must be busy, why did you come all the way here?”
Looking at the store packed with customers and the long line outside, I said, “I wanted to buy a pizza, but I can’t even place an order.”
CEO Im Soo-mi smiled and said, “Congratulations on your first store, Mr. Kim.”
Kim Jae-hak looked embarrassed at her words.
“Ah, thank you.”
She took something out of her bag and handed it to me.
“This is a grand opening gift. Come by with your parents on your day off.”
The gift she gave me was a Ceylon Hotel accommodation voucher and a buffet coupon.
We exited through the back door so as not to attract the attention of the customers.
“You don’t smoke?”
“I’m trying to quit. If I smell like cigarettes, the customers won’t like it, right?”
“Good for you.”
His mindset seemed different from before, which was nice to see.
“Now all that’s left is to work hard and pay off the debt.”
“That too, but there’s one more thing you need to do.”
Kim Jae-hak looked puzzled at my words.
“What is it?”
***
Hwaahn Group is a chaebol group ranked 9th in terms of business scale in Korea.
It originated as Hwayak Safety Corporation, handling the management and manufacturing of explosives under the US military administration after liberation, and then experienced explosive growth thanks to the special circumstances of the Vietnam War.
What followed was similar to other chaebol groups. It expanded its business areas across the board beyond its main business of defense industry, and now its business is diversified into insurance, construction, and finance.
Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung of Hwaahn Group held an executive meeting at the headquarters. The agenda was the future business strategy of Hwaahn Construction.
Like Eunsung Construction, Hwaahn Construction grew significantly through the Middle East boom and was still actively involved in construction activities there. However, the volume of construction projects in the Middle East was gradually decreasing due to the combination of low oil prices and local political instability.
Fortunately, the dramatic conclusion of the nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran was expected to open a new path. Iran is not only the second largest market in the Middle East after Saudi Arabia but also has a population of over 80 million. Due to long-term sanctions, urban infrastructure, including buildings, was dilapidated, raising expectations for another Middle East boom.
Hwaahn Construction had completed all preparations in anticipation of the opening of a huge market. But suddenly, a problem arose.
It was Ronald’s move to bring up the renegotiation card, arguing that the previous administration’s nuclear agreement was flawed. Naturally, Iran strongly protested, but the international sanctions were likely to remain in place for the time being.
They would have to weather the storm with the projects they had already secured, but the immediate problem was starting this year.
Moreover, an unexpected disaster occurred last year in this situation: the Big One.
The massive earthquake completely devastated the San Francisco Bay Area. When reconstruction begins, massive construction projects will take place to build several new megacities.
Construction companies worldwide were paying attention to this, and Hwaahn Construction was no exception.
It was a good opportunity to take a leap forward, but the outlook was not very bright. This was because Hwaahn Construction had no experience in winning bids in the US, and the group as a whole had a weak sales network there.
Everyone gathered there had the same thought.
‘Should we build a closer relationship with Kang Jin-hoo after all?’
He had played a significant role in preparing for the Big One and was supplying the US government with a massive amount of raw materials he had purchased beforehand. He also owned Akitt, a British design and engineering firm.
As such, he was bound to play a key role in the reconstruction project.
Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung recalled the young man in his twenties he had briefly seen before. Back then, he had considered him a lucky upstart who had made some money…
‘He’s grown this much in the meantime.’
While the meeting was in progress, the secretary entered.
Instantly, everyone’s eyes turned to her. Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung frowned slightly at the sudden disruption of the meeting’s atmosphere.
“What is it?”
“You have a visitor.”
He preferred to operate according to a fixed schedule, like a soldier. Therefore, he tended to avoid unscheduled meetings.
“Tell them to make an appointment and come back later.”
The secretary calmly said, “It’s an important guest. I think you should see him.”
“Who is it?”
“It’s CEO Kang Jin-hoo of OTK Company.”
At those words, Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung, as well as the executives, were taken aback.
“CEO Kang Jin-hoo has come to see me?”
“Yes, sir.”
Whatever the reason, it was a good opportunity.
“Let’s end the meeting here.”
Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung got up from his seat.
***
Although a staff member offered to guide me to the reception room, I sat down to wait in the lobby.
Having nothing else to do, I sat and observed the company. The employees, dressed neatly in black suits like uniforms, walked around at a brisk pace.
Watching them, it was clear that each company had a slightly different atmosphere.
Seosung Group felt more free-spirited, while Hwaahn Group felt systematic and organized. Perhaps it was due to the differences in their core businesses and the nature of their work.
Some employees recognized me and were surprised.
Not long after I started waiting, Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung came down to the lobby himself. He was in his early fifties, but he looked much older than his age in person.
His hairline had receded significantly into an M-shape, almost reaching the crown of his head, and deep wrinkles were etched on his forehead, suggesting he frowned often.
Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung had led the group since his twenties due to the sudden death of his predecessor. Perhaps because of that, he exuded a strong charisma.
This wasn’t our first meeting; we had seen each other briefly at President Ronald’s meeting. Back then, we had just exchanged polite greetings.
Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung saw me and opened his arms wide in greeting.
“Oh! Welcome, CEO Kang Jin-hoo.”
“Hello.”
“There’s no need to stand here, let’s go upstairs.”
We went up to his office.
Looking out the window, I said, “The view of Yeouido is nice. You can see the Han River at a glance.”
Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! Looking at the flowing river often helps organize complicated thoughts.”
The secretary brought coffee, and I sat facing Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung.
Like other chaebol leaders, he had been in the news for causing social controversy and had faced several trials. As expected of a chaebol, he had gotten away with suspended sentences each time.
“I was thinking of having a drink with CEO Kang Jin-hoo sometime. What brings you here?”
“There are a few things I wanted to discuss.”
He smiled affably and leaned forward.
“What kind of things?”
I took a sip of coffee and said, “Do you remember the KM188 explosion accident? It was caused by a defective product supplied by Hwaahn Precision Chemicals during training.”
At my words, the smile on Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung’s face faltered, replaced by a look of bewilderment.
He surely wouldn’t be unaware of it. The incident had shaken up the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and led to an investigation into overall defense procurement irregularities, even resulting in the arrest of the former Chief of Naval Operations.
At the time, all of Hwaahn Precision Chemicals’ planned overseas exports were canceled, and all the already delivered items had to be recalled.
“One person died and another was injured in that incident. And I recently learned that the soldier who lost his leg was compensated with a mere 50 million won. Are you aware of this as well?”
For reference, the bereaved family of the warrant officer who died was compensated with 100 million won. Even that was arranged by high-ranking officers.
Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung looked at me and asked, “Hmm, why is CEO Kang Jin-hoo concerned about that matter?”
He was asking why I would take an interest in another company’s affairs.
I gave him an answer he could understand.
“I was at the training ground when the KM188 exploded. The person who lost his leg that day was my direct superior. I was lucky enough to be in the back, so I survived.”
In other words, I was almost killed by the defective mortar shell supplied by Hwaahn Precision Chemicals.
Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung’s expression hardened.
“Looking back, I was really lucky. If I had been unlucky, I could have died or lost limbs.”
“Is that true?”
I nodded.
“If you need it, I can even get my medical records from the military hospital. Well, you probably know many people in the Ministry of National Defense, so you could check it yourself.”
He looked perplexed.
He probably didn’t know we had this kind of connection.
Silence hung in the air for a moment. Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung kept his mouth firmly shut, seemingly deep in thought.
“Well, I don’t intend to publicize or make an issue of what happened back then. I understand that unlike other chaebol families, the people of Hwaahn Group faithfully fulfill their military service obligations. Since you also served as an officer, Mr. Chairman, I believe you are well aware of the realities faced by soldiers in our country. Since Hwaahn Group has grown through the defense industry, how about taking this opportunity to do something meaningful?”
“What do you have in mind?”
I had thought about this and discussed it with Chairman Im Jin-yong before coming here.
After hearing my proposal, he looked troubled.
“This isn’t a problem that can be easily decided.”
I stood up from my seat.
“If you decline, OTK Company and Seosung Group will proceed separately. Then, I’ll be going.”
At that, Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung also stood up.
“Oh, come on! Don’t say such disappointing things. I’ll gladly do it.”
***
[OTK Company, Seosung Group, and Hwaahn Group establish joint foundation!]
[Supporting compensation, rehabilitation, treatment, and re-employment for military and police personnel injured or killed in the line of duty]
[Chairman Ahn Hyun-sung of Hwaahn Group expresses joy at being able to support the military and police who have dedicated themselves to the nation…]
[Chairman Im Jin-yong of Seosung Group plans to gradually expand the scale of support in the future…]
Whether they liked it or not, now that they had decided to spend the money, Seosung Group and Hwaahn Group diligently promoted the establishment of the foundation to boost their corporate image.
Public reaction was, of course, positive.
– lol, for once, Korean companies are doing something good.
– If you get injured while serving compulsorily, you should at least get proper treatment.
– I wonder if it applies to those who have already been discharged?
– I injured my shoulder in the military and still can’t use my left arm properly ㅜㅜ
– Don’t just leave it to corporations, the government should provide support too. What do they do with our taxes anyway?
– That’s why I don’t pay taxes.
– Such a brag, dude.
***
Ceylon Hotel’s Japanese restaurant.
Taek-gyu and I arrived first and ordered, and then Hyun-joo noona and Ellie arrived shortly after.
“Hi, we’re here.”
Ellie looked cheerful, but Hyun-joo noona looked tired as always.
“Are you still very busy these days?”
“It’s always the same.”
Taek-gyu said, “noona, your dark circles are going to reach your chin at this rate.”
“Shut up.”
We ate sashimi and drank sake.
Hyun-joo noona took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes.
“You know the political scene is turbulent these days, right?”
“Yes.”
It’s not like the political scene is ever quiet, but it’s been particularly noisy lately.
“As you know, OTK Company has become too big. It seems like the political circles are keeping a close eye on it.”
Taek-gyu, who was diligently picking up sashimi, asked, “Now that the government has changed, isn’t it okay?”
Hyun-joo noona replied coldly, “Just because our relationship with the conservative government wasn’t good doesn’t mean it’s good with the progressive government.”
That’s true.
Unlike my close ties with Washington’s political circles, I have no connections whatsoever with the Korean political scene. This is also because I deliberately avoided it.
I had been rejecting all requests for meetings from politicians. However, even after the change of government, politicians continued to seek me out, and among them were quite a few lawmakers from the New Politics Party and people from the Blue House.
Why do they keep trying to meet me?
Ellie said, “They know what happened to the last administration, surely they won’t do anything unnecessary, right?”
Hyun-joo noona took a sip of sake and gave a wry smile at my words.
“That’s because you don’t know Korean politicians.”
